Updated: Frack free councils

Frack-free motions and statements about fracking by UK local authorities

List shows the authority’s name, action, date and the party in power at the time. Councils marked with a * have new information added in November 2015. Please let us know if there councils that are missing.

*Cinderford Town Council Members approved a statement which said the council would be totally against hydraulic fracturing for unconventional hydrocarbons. Cinderford Town Council fully believes that the Forest of Dean does not lend itself in any way to this type of unconventional hydrocarbon exploration. 12/11/15

*Eastbourne Borough Councilvoted (15 in favour and 9 abstentions) to support a motion opposing fracking in the area “until satisfactory answers are scientifically proven not to have an adverse effect on the general wellbeing of not only the natural habitat directly affected by fracking but the surrounding plant life and wildlife in neighbouring sites.” 18/11/15, Lib Dem

*Forest of Dean District Council voted to register its concerns with the Department of Energy and Climate Change about the local use of unconventional gas exploration and extraction and inform DECC that it would not support fracking. 22/10/2015.

Glastonbury Town Voted in favour of a motion resolving not to support fracking in the Mendips or throughout Great Britain, 12/2/2013.

*Gloucestershire County Council sent a motion to its Environment and Community’s Scutiny Committee. The motion resolved to ask the Energy Secretary to “remove the licensing areas within Gloucestershire with immediate effect”. 23/10/2015.

Hampshire County Statement by council leader that the environment must come first, 13/1/2014, Conservative

*Hull City Councilcabinet backed a policy opposing unconventional oil and gas using extraction techniques. Under the policy the council “will not encourage applications” that use fracking or mini-fracking technology. The council will also “take such action as necessary to protect the community’s interests where impacts of proposed unconventional oil and gas development pose a threat to Hull’s water resources, adversely affect traffic movements or require the movement of hazardous waste through the city.” 23/11/15, Labour

InverclydeMotion supporting devolution of energy powers to Scottish Government and expressing concerns about drilling beneath homes without the owners’ consent deferred to meeting in 2015, 4/12/2014, Labour.

*Leeds City Council Members called on the government to withdraw fracking licences in the Leeds area until environmental and health concerns had been addressed. They also voted to demand the government reversed changes that could take away powers from local decision-makers. 11/11/15, Labour

Liverpool City Mayoral commitment to discuss concerns in council committee, 17/9/2014, Labour.

London AssemblyMotion opposing any fracking activities within the boundaries of Greater London, agreed by 15 votes to 8, 5/11/2014, Labour.

London Borough of Brent Statement of opposition by council leader, 1/11/2013, Labour.

Hi Claire
Thanks for getting in touch. Yes I will be updating this list. And apologies that it’s now a bit out of date. This would be a job for the quiet time over Christmas! Thanks for the prompt about Trafford Council.
Best wishes, Ruth

I wonder when the government and industry will finally understand the public don’t want fracking and it isn’t just about protestors! Local authorities know when an industry will be good or bad for their area. This list includes Conservative councils, the government has a complete disconnect with local authorities and the public.